Presents in boot of wrecked car after heartbreaking fatal

A FATALITY on the Bruce Highway 20kms north of Gin Gin was the state's first death in the 2015 Christmas Road safety campaign.

Wrapped Christmas presents in the wrecked boot of the death car were a chilling reminder that for this family there was no Christmas cheer.

The crash was a head-on between a northbound white sedan and a Gladstone couple travelling south in a red Mazda hatch.

The deceased is a 53-year-old man from Highfields near Toowoomba who was a passenger in the car driven by a woman, 59.

A Clinton couple were in the Mazda being driven by a woman 63 with a 65-year-old male passenger.

The section of highway between Gin Gin and Miriam Vale has been the scene of other road fatalities this year.

The man's death on December 23 was the 237th state fatality this year and came on the first day of the campaign as police urge drivers to be vigilant.

Police are out in force and the focus is again on the 'Fatal Five' with an emphasis on drink driving.

For our region fatigued and distracted drivers will be in the line of sight for traffic police.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said the Christmas/New Year holidays are one of the busiest times on the road.

"People travel long distances to see relatives and friends so it's important that drivers are aware of the common risk factors, distraction and inattention, speeding, fatigue, drink and drug driving, and not wearing seat belts," he said.

"One fatality on our roads is one too many, so I implore drivers to play it safe when out and about.

"Drive to the conditions, leave enough space between you and the car in front, ensure you're well rested, put your seatbelt on and do not get behind the wheel after drinking.

"If you don't heed the warnings then you are not only endangering your own life, but the lives of those in the vehicle with you, and other motorists."

In 2014, four people died on the state's roads over the Christmas holiday period and 318 people injured as a result of serious crashes.